Bubble tray



Jan. 28, 1936. p, SCOWLLE 2,029,277

BUBBLE TRAY Filed Feb. 23, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 4.19 5601 11456' A TTOR/VEV Jan. 28, 1936. Lu scOVlLLE 2,029,277

BUBBLE TRAY Filed Feb. 23, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N VENTOR LJQJCdV/LLE///5 .4 TTOR/VE V Patented Jan'. 28, 1936 I'TE s'rss BUBBLE TRAY LorenP. Scoville, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to The Texas Company, New York,N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 23, 1933, SerialNo. 658,083

9 Claims. (CL 261-114) This invention relates to improvements infractionating towers employing transverse baffies or plates, such as theusual bubble trays.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a tray constructionwhich will operate more efiiciently than those used at present infractionating towers and wherein the trays, which may be made insections if preferred, may be readily installed and removed at will.

The above and other objects will appear more fully from the followingdescription 'when con-' sidered in connection with the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1- is a vertical sectional view through a fractionating tower andbubble tray construction illustrating one form which the invention mayassume.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Fig, 1, illustrating amodified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 3. v

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the lines 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Considerable difiiculty has heretofore been experienced in placingbubble trays or apertured battles in fractionating towers, wherein thereis a constant upward movement of vapors and downward flow of liquids,due to the fact that the tray must be placed in substantially sealedrelation to the interior face of the tower wall for efiicient operationof the apparatus. In the usual construction the junction between thetrays and the tower wall or the support thereon is closed by bolting thetray in place or by using a sealing compound or gasket, all suchexpedients interfering with the prompt removal of the tray and oftencausing inefiicient operation due to leakage or due to the sealingmaterial becoming dislodged and clogging the liquid or vapor passages.According to the present invention, the difficulty of providing a sealbetween, the tray and the tower wall and betweenthe sections of thetrayis overcome without using bolts, sealing material, gaskets, etc.,and furthermore the construction which provides the sea] at these pointsmaterially increases the efiectiveness of the tray by performing thefunction of the bubble caps on the trays.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the tower proper includes a verticalside wall 2, usually circular in form although the present invention isapplicable to towers of other forms. The bubble trays 4 are preferablyformed of a plurality ,of

sections 4a, 4b and 40, which may be bolted or welded together asindicated at 5, although obviously unitary trays may be. employed. Thetrays are formed with overflow liquid nipples 6,

extending from the normal liquid level A above 5 the trays to pointsbeneath the normal liquid level of the next lower tray.

The vapor passages 8 include vapor riser nipples I0 which may be formedintegral with the tray 4 and which are shown as terminating at the levelB above the plane of the tray 4 but beneath the normal liquid level A ofthe tray, although the nipples may extend higher if desired. The nipplesID are enclosed within bubble caps l2, which may be convenientlysupported on and secured to the nipples, the caps extending downwardlyoverthe nipples ID to form a liquid vapor trap at the nipple. As shown,the lower edges of the bubble caps are formed with serrated edgesextending from the level C at the base of the serrations to the level Dat the tips thereof to cause the upwardly rising vapors to be broken upinto small streams or series of bubbles which are contacted with theliquid on the tray. A desired number of vapor riser nipples and bubblecaps may be placed on each tray.

The outer periphery of each tray 4 is extended upwardly, outwardly anddownwardly, as shown at H, to form an inverted vapor trap or pocket 13terminating in a downward projection M. The lower edge of the flange I4is formed with serrations l6 extending from the level C to the level Dso as to correspond to the level of-the serrations on the bubble capsl2. Each tray is supported at its outer peripheraledge, as by extensionsl'l, on a supporting bracket l8 which is preferably welded securely tothe inner face of the outer wall and which is formed with an upwardlyextending projection 20, spaced from the wall 2 of the tower to form anupright liquid receiving pocket 22 into which the peripheral flange i lof the tray extends. It is preferred to have the upper edge of theflange 20 extend to the same height as the vapor riser nipples ID, atthe level B, to provide uniform vapor flow through the space between theflanges 20 and I 4.

In assembling the apparatus, the flanges l8 are first welded orotherwise secured in gas type relation to thtepwalls 2, there being onebracket l8 for eac "y to be introduced. The trays are thenplacedirnsupported position upon the brackets as shown in the drawings,the trays being introduced either sectionally or as a whole depending,for example, upon the type of man- Way with which the tower is provided.

When the tower is in operation, liquid is maintained .at the normalliquid level A, any excess overflowing downwardly through the liquidnipples 6 to the next lower tray. The vapors constantly rise through thevapor riser nipples i and pass downwardly beneath the edges of thebubble caps I2 where the liquid and vapors are contacted and the heavierbodies retainedwith the liquid while the lighter vapor bodies passupwardly through the liquidand escape with other lighter vapor particlesinto the next section of the tower. Due to the reversed relation of theflanges l4 and 20 on the tray and wall brackets, respectively, thepocket 22 is maintained full of liquid. The vapors accordingly passupwardly over the flange 20 and beneath the serrated edges l6 of thebubble tray in the same manner that they pass through the vapor nipplesl0 and caps l2. Obviously, no liquid can leak past the edges of thevarious trays since the brackets [8 may be secured in gas tight relationagainst the inner face of the tower wall, the upwardly rising vaporspreventing the liquid from overflowing past the flanges l4 and 20. It isunnecessary to use any sealing material or gaskets therefore to preventleakage. It will be understood that, if preferred, where an extremelyhighrate of vapor passage is contemplated, the trays may be lockedagainst displacement as shown at 24.

The trays are readily removed by being lifted from their supportedposition on the brackets since no sealing materials or gaskets areemployed.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 to the sectionaltrays may be sealed by employing the construction described above inconnection with Figs. 1 and 2, or, if preferred, any of the usualsealing devices may be employed at the periphery of the tray. Theconstruction disclosed in these figures relates particularly to thedevices employed for sealing the junctions of the tray sections toprevent leakage between the junctions and to increase the capacity ofthe trays.

As shown, each tray 26 is formed of three sections 26a, 26b and 260,thesections being supported upon a supporting ring l8a. terminating in avertical flange 20a of the type shown in the first form of theinvention. The trays are spaced from the upper edges of the flanges 200.as by means of the several spaced supporting lugs 21. The trays areprovided with any desired number of vapor riser nipples Illa and bubblecaps I22]. and with overflow liquid nipples 6a as will be readilyunderstood.

Each tray section 26a is formed at its free edge with a verticallyextended flange 28 which terminates at substantially the same height asthe vapor riser nipples "la and vertical flange 20a of the supportingring. The adjacent edge of the next tray section 26b is extended upward-1y, outwardly and downwardly to form an inverted vapor trap or pocket 30terminating in a downwardly extending projection 32. The free edge ofthe projection 32 is preferably serrated and terminates at substantiallythe same height as the serrated edges of the vapor riser caps tosimulate the construction and operation of the vapor riser caps at thejunction between the sections 26a and 26b. The projection 32 may beconnection with the tray sections 26a and 26b. It will be noted,however, that the central tray section 26b, where only three sectionsare provided, has the two inverted vapor pockets 3!! and serrated loweredges and that the two outer tray sections 260.- and 260 are formed withflanges 28 extending upwardly into the vapor traps or pockets 30. Thisconstruction facilitates the introduction of the tray sections in thatthe central section may be introduced last after the outer sections 26aand 260 have been -properly placed and without disturbing the positionsof the outer sections. The sections 26a, 26b and 260 may be bolted orlocked together, as indicated at 34, and if necessary the entire traymay be bolted to the flange I8a, although this is not considerednecessary since the weight'of the sectional tray is ordinarilysuflicient to hold'it' in place.

While, as illustrated, the tray 26 is preferably formed at the outeredge with the same type of construction as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2,it will be understood that the sectional tray construction, illustratedin Figs. 3 to 5, is useful whether or not the particular devicesdisclosed for sealing the outer peripheral edge of the entire tray areemployed.

In the construction disclosed in Figs. 3 to 5, the vapor riser nipplesand bubble caps function in the usual manner to conduct vapors throughthe trays and to contactthe vapors with liquid 'maintained on the trayat the height shown in Fig. 1. The periphery of the entire tray as wellas the periphery of each tray section is sealed against the downwardpassage of liquid through the tray.

The construction disclosed materially increases.

the capacity of the tower since the devices for sealing the periphery ofthe trays and of the tray sections are constructed to perform thefunction of the bubble caps and to this extent increase the capacity ofthe trays.

While the vapor riser nipples and vertical flanges for cooperation withthe peripheral vapor pockets of the trays and tray sections are shown asterminating at the height B, beneath the liquid level A, it will beunderstood that these nipples may extend higher so that the'bubble capsare positioned at or above the liquid level A on the tray, if desired,the height of the nipples de- I termining the certainty of the vaportrap at the should be imposed as are indicated in the appended. claims.

I claim:

1. In a bubbletower, a supporting ring secured to the interior face ofthe tower and having an upwardly extending flange about the innerperiphery thereof to form a liquid retaining trough, a sectional bubbletray removably supported within the tower by said trough, vapor risersand bubble caps carried by said tray, the marginal portions of said traysections adjacent the said trough having-flanges overlapping the saidupwardly extending flange of the trough and then depending down into thetrough in spaced relation to the upwardly extending flange and tosubfrom each other to form additional vapor passages,'there being anupwardly extending flange on one tray section to form a liquid poolthereon and an overlapping flange on the adjacent tray section whichextends downwardly in spaced relation to the said upwardly extendingflange and into the said liquid pool to substantially the same level asthe lower ends of the bubble caps, and

spaced supports between the said upwardly extending flange and the saidoverhanging flange of adjacent tray sections, whereby additional vaporbubble passages are provided between the said tray sections, the saidtray sections being supported substantially entirely by each other andby the said liquid retaining trough.

2. In a bubble tower, an annular trough secured to the inner wall of thetower, a sectional bubble tray composed of outer sections and a cenaboutthe tray sections, vapor risers and bubble tral section, the marginalportions of said sections overlapping the inner edge of said trough andthen extending downwardly into the trough for a distance to form a vaporbubble passage caps carried by the tray sections. the outer traysections having upstanding flanges along the sides thereof adjacent thecentral tray section, the latter having side flanges overhanging thesaid upstanding flanges and then extending downwardly toward the outertray sections a distance to form additional vapor bubble passagesbetween the tray sections, the said central tray section being supportedfor upward removal from the said outer tray sections and annular trough.and the said outer tray sections being supported for upward removal fromthe said annular trough following removal of the said central traysection.

3. In a bubble tower, a supporting projection encircling the interiorface of said 'tower and formed with an upwardly extending flange spacedfrom the tower wall, a readily removable bubble tray supported upon saidflange and provided with vapor risers and bubble caps positioned overthe same, the upper edge of said projection and the upper ends of saidvapor risers.

being at approximately the same level, the outer edge of said trayextending over and behind said .with an upwardly opening liquidretaining pocket,

a bubble tray having vapor risers and bubble caps supported at spacedpoints upon said flange to leave a vapor space therebetween, adownwardly extended notched flange carried by said tray at its peripheryand positioned in sealed relation in said pocket about substantially theentire periphery thereof, and means for maintaining an effective liquidlevel within said upwardly opening liquid retaining pocket substantiallycorresponding to the efiective liquid level on said tray about saidvapor risers and bubble caps, whereby the annular passage between saidtray and tower flanges also functions as a vapor flow passage duringnormal operation of said tower.

5. In a bubble tower, a supporting flange secured to the inner face ofsaid tower and formed with an upwardly opening liquid retaining pocket,a bubble tray supported at spaced points adjacent its periphery on saidflange and provided with vapor riser nipples extending above the body ofsaid tray, bubble caps enclosing said nipples and extending downwardlybeneath the upper edge of said nipples, said tray being formed with adownwardly extended flange at its outer periphery positioned in sealedrelation in said pocket, said downwardly extending flange ter'minatingsubstantially at the level of the lower edge of said bubble caps andhaving portions spaced from said flange to form vapor passages.

6. In a bubble tower, a supporting flange secured'to the inner face ofsaid tower and formed with an upwardly opening liquid retaining pocket,a bubble tray supported for free upward removal at spaced pointsadjacent its periphery on said flange and provided with vapor risernipples extending above the body of said tray, bubble caps enclosingsaid nipples and extending downwardly beneath the upper edge of saidnipples, said tray being formed with a downwardly extended flange at itsouter periphery positioned in sealed relation in said pocket, saiddownwardly extending flange terminating substantially at the level ofthe lower edge of said bubble caps and having portions spaced from saidflange to form vapor passages, and a liquid nipple for maintaining apredetermined height of liquid on said tray and liquid retaining pocketand for conducting excess liquid to a lower tray.

7. In a bubble tower construction, a supporting ring secured to theinterior face of said tower and having an upwardly extending flangeconstructed to form a pocket for retaining a pool of liquid therein, abubble tray supported for free upward removal at spaced points adjacentits periphery on said supporting ring and extending across said tower,said tray being formed about substantially the entire periphery thereofwith a downwardly extending flange positioned in said pocket and havinga vapor underflow level positioned above the plane of said tray, vaporriser nipples on said tray extending above the plane of said tray andsubstantially to the height of the flange on said supporting ring andbubble caps positioned over said nipples and extending downwardly toprovide a vapor underflow at subing serrated lower edges.

8. In a bubble tray construction for fractionating equipment, asectional tray, means for maintaining a body of liquid on said tray,bubble caps and nipples-on said tray for conducting upwardly risingvapors through said tray and for contacting the same with liquid on saidtray and an upwardly extending flange and a cooperating overhangingflange formed on the contiguous edges of adjacent tray sections forsealing the junctions of the sections of said tray, said flanges beingspaced to form vapor passages and liquid traps for conducting upwardlyrising vapors through said tray between said sections and for contactingthe same with liquid on said tray, said bubble caps and vapor passagesbetween said flanges contacting vapor and liquid on substantially thesame horizontal level.

through said tray and for contacting the same with liquid on said traybeneath the liquid level on said tray and means for supporting andsealing the peripheral edges of said tray comprising a liquid retainingtrough about the periphery of the tray into which a depending flangefrom the tray extends, and providing means for accommodating the upwardpassage of vapors at the edges of the tray while contacting said vaporswith the liquid in said trough to afford additional vapor bubble 10space.

LOREN P. SCOVILLE.

